Alias is one of those television programs that I had no interest in watching when it first aired, but as there has been good buzz about the show I was able to give it a chance on DVD. It s a good thing that I did because right from the first episode I was sucked into the story and each episode left me wanting to know the explanation for what just happened and what was going to happen next.
Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) is an agent for SD-6. When she was recruited to SD-6 she was led to believe that it was a covert branch of the CIA. Except for those at the highest levels of SD-6, all the agents believe that they are working for the CIA. They are all wrong. When Sydney told her fianc that she worked as a spy for SD-6, they had him killed. It was only then that she learned that SD-6 was the very enemy she thought she was fighting against. She went directly to the CIA and now she works as a double agent to help bring down SD-6. If this sounds a bit complicated, just remember that we learn all of this in the first episode of the series. It gets even more complicated from there.
Sydney also learns that her father (Victor Garber), whom she has never been close to, is not only a member of SD-6 but also a double agent with the CIA. Sydney is still given missions from Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin), but her CIA Handler Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan) gives her the CIA s counter-mission for her true objective. So, Sydney is working both sides on her missions, but is also trying to keep the fact that she is working against SD-6 from her partner Marcus Dixon (Carl Lumbly), who believes that SD-6 is part of the CIA and is one of the good guys. These missions gradually build the greater story arc of the season/series with something called the Rimbaldi artifact. These artifacts are amazingly advanced and prescient for something designed and created over 500 years ago. The major world powers (both official like CIA and the underworld like SD-6, K-Directorate) are looking for these artifacts because of the incredible potential to shift the balance of power one way or another.
While this is happening, Sydney s friend, Will Tippin (Bradley Cooper), a newspaper reporter, is investigating the death of Sydney s fianc . Since just learning about SD-6 was enough to get the fianc killed we know that Will is treading into dangerous waters. This storyline often takes a back seat, but it is interesting to see what he will be able to uncover and how this may affect his relationship with Sydney.
At many times this can be a confusing show because you are not quite sure how everything connects to the larger picture, but it is easy to stay interested in the show for that very reason: you want to know how it all comes out in the end. To make matters worse, the ending of nearly episode is such a cliffhanger that even when I think I have watched my last episode of the day I just have to watch one more to find out how the cliffhanger is resolved. It is the mark of good television that keeps me coming back for more. I would put this show with Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a show that is really good but is not quite as serious as something like The Sopranos or The West Wing . It deals with serious subjects and has action and adventure, but it doesn t fit neatly into a genre. All in all, I think this is an excellent show and I look forward to watching season two.
Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) is an agent for SD-6. When she was recruited to SD-6 she was led to believe that it was a covert branch of the CIA. Except for those at the highest levels of SD-6, all the agents believe that they are working for the CIA. They are all wrong. When Sydney told her fianc that she worked as a spy for SD-6, they had him killed. It was only then that she learned that SD-6 was the very enemy she thought she was fighting against. She went directly to the CIA and now she works as a double agent to help bring down SD-6. If this sounds a bit complicated, just remember that we learn all of this in the first episode of the series. It gets even more complicated from there.
Sydney also learns that her father (Victor Garber), whom she has never been close to, is not only a member of SD-6 but also a double agent with the CIA. Sydney is still given missions from Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin), but her CIA Handler Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan) gives her the CIA s counter-mission for her true objective. So, Sydney is working both sides on her missions, but is also trying to keep the fact that she is working against SD-6 from her partner Marcus Dixon (Carl Lumbly), who believes that SD-6 is part of the CIA and is one of the good guys. These missions gradually build the greater story arc of the season/series with something called the Rimbaldi artifact. These artifacts are amazingly advanced and prescient for something designed and created over 500 years ago. The major world powers (both official like CIA and the underworld like SD-6, K-Directorate) are looking for these artifacts because of the incredible potential to shift the balance of power one way or another.
While this is happening, Sydney s friend, Will Tippin (Bradley Cooper), a newspaper reporter, is investigating the death of Sydney s fianc . Since just learning about SD-6 was enough to get the fianc killed we know that Will is treading into dangerous waters. This storyline often takes a back seat, but it is interesting to see what he will be able to uncover and how this may affect his relationship with Sydney.
At many times this can be a confusing show because you are not quite sure how everything connects to the larger picture, but it is easy to stay interested in the show for that very reason: you want to know how it all comes out in the end. To make matters worse, the ending of nearly episode is such a cliffhanger that even when I think I have watched my last episode of the day I just have to watch one more to find out how the cliffhanger is resolved. It is the mark of good television that keeps me coming back for more. I would put this show with Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a show that is really good but is not quite as serious as something like The Sopranos or The West Wing . It deals with serious subjects and has action and adventure, but it doesn t fit neatly into a genre. All in all, I think this is an excellent show and I look forward to watching season two.
Loading...
I've been an "Alias" junkie since the very first show. Like you said, you really want to KNOW what happens next week because they develop the stories and characters so well. Plus it's great to see a woman who drives a show, with intelligence, beauty, power, athleticism, and kick ass fighting skills. Plus the costumes, the wigs, the weaponry, the hotty factor! w00t! I'm surprised as a "Buffy" fan you like this, though. I'm not a fan of that show, but those I know who are don't like "Alias". Weird.
P.S. season two is even better that the first. Season 3 started out a little strangely due to a major season two character leaving and the final resolution of the previous season's cliffhanger, but the last few weeks have been FASCINATING. I can't wait to see where it goes.
P.S. season two is even better that the first. Season 3 started out a little strangely due to a major season two character leaving and the final resolution of the previous season's cliffhanger, but the last few weeks have been FASCINATING. I can't wait to see where it goes.
Loading...